Tsai to visit EU next month

By Lee Hsin-fang / Staff Reporter

Wed, May 25, 2011 - Page 3

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is scheduled to visit two EU countries next month, the party announced yesterday.

Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), deputy executive of the DPP’s think tank, said although most EU countries don’t require Taiwanese to apply for visas, “we still need to give them notice that we are going” to ensure that the itinerary will run smoothly.

As China is certain to meddle in the internal affairs of the DPP, the party will not publicize Tsai’s itinerary until all the details have been confirmed, Hsiao said.

According to Hsiao, energy conservation policy will be the main agenda on Tsai’s visit.

Through the visits, Tsai hopes to gain a better understanding of the two countries’ ideas and strategic needs in light of the various energy-related matters facing Taiwan, such as nuclear safety and the development of a green energy industry, Hsiao said.

Hsiao added that she and former Taiwanese representative to Germany Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) would accompany Tsai on the trip.

Aside from the planned European trip, Tsai will also travel to the Philippines on June 17 for four days, during which she will attend the Congress of the Liberal International.

Aside from delivering a speech at the Congress, Tsai, on the sidelines of the event, will hold bilateral meetings with various party leaders from different countries, said Hsiao, who is also the Liberal International’s vice president.

Plans are also being made to have Tsai visit the US and Japan later this year, Hsiao said.